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16EARS

Earwax is beneficial for cleaning the ears and usually self-cleans, but blockage may require removal. Three methods for cleaning include using a cotton swab carefully, irrigating with warm water, and using eardrops, with the most effective method being a combination of softening drops followed by irrigation. Caution is advised to avoid damaging the ear canal or eardrum during cleaning.

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Tanvir Mahmood Kamal
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30 views1 page

16EARS

Earwax is beneficial for cleaning the ears and usually self-cleans, but blockage may require removal. Three methods for cleaning include using a cotton swab carefully, irrigating with warm water, and using eardrops, with the most effective method being a combination of softening drops followed by irrigation. Caution is advised to avoid damaging the ear canal or eardrum during cleaning.

Uploaded by

Tanvir Mahmood Kamal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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KEEPING YOUR EARS CLEAN

Earwax is healthy and serves to actually clean your ears. The sticky nature of earwax catches foreign
debris in your ears. Most of the time, the ear canals are self-cleaning due to the migration of the wax. If
earwax actually blocks the canal, then your ear must be cleaned.
There are three methods to clean the earwax from your ear canals. The first method is the careful use of
a cotton swab. You should place only the cotton portion in the ear. Once it is in place, rotate the swab to
clean the very outer portion of the canal. Be cautious— if you insert the applicator too far in the canal, or if
something bumps your arm while the applicator is in your ear, damage to your ear canal and eardrum may
result. Also, the cotton swab may actually push the earwax deeper into the canal, causing earwax
impaction.
The second method of cleaning your ear canals is to irrigate the canals with water irrigation using a
rubber ear syringe. With this method, you should use warm water and vigorously but carefully flush your
ear. The water will run quickly in and out, so be sure to position your head over a sink or basin. Expect to
hear a lot of noise as the water is forced into your ear. If the water is too warm or too cold, you may feel a
temporary dizziness. If the irrigation causes pain, stop immediately— your eardrum may be torn.
The third method of cleaning your ear canals also involves irrigation. Your doctor can recommend
eardrops that will usually soften and remove the earwax accumulation. Frequently, however, drops alone
are not adequate to clean the wax, especially if you have a large amount of it deep in your ear canal.
The most effective method of removing wax from your ears is to use a combination of softening drops
followed by warm water irrigation. To do this, place the softening agent into the blocked ear canal and plug
the canal with cotton for 5 to 10 minutes. Then irrigate your ear with warm water as instructed above. This
combination of methods is usually successful.

Thompson, J. and Wilson, S. (1997). Health Assessment for Nursing Practice. St Louis: Mosby.

This guide may be printed for free distribution to patients and families. All rights reserved. © Copyright 1998 by Mosby.

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